Convertible table



Jan. 31, i967 T. @Am/ACK 3,300,791

CONVERTIBLE TABLE Filed March 9, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l 50I .il'lii 3 5253 7g 4 4/ y n,

L 63 1 a2 fw i ,f 70 @4 K27 f @5 29 INVENTOR. TOM CARMACK Jan. 3l, i967 T. CARMACK 3,300,791

CONVERTIBLE TABLE Filed March 9, 1964 5 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTOR. TOM CA fem/ACK AGEA/7jY Jan. 3i, R967 T. CAMACK l 3,309,791

CONVERTIBLE TABLE Filed March 9, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O The present invention relates to convertible tables which can be used alternatively as a dining table or as a bed. Convertible tables of this type are commonly used in any type of dwelling where space is at a premium, such as trailers, camper 1bodies mounted on pickup trucks, boats and the like. Such convertible tables are usually movable Ibetween a raised position for dining table purposes, and a lowered position for bed purposes, the bed height being usually the same height as the table benches, so that the bench seats can be utilized with the table top to `provide a -bed of suitable length.

Heretofore, such convertible tables have required considerable effort to change from table to bed, or vice versa, and in most cases, they have been inconvenient and awkward to manipulate, or have required considerable strength, making it difficult or impossible for the average woman to manipulate the table. Moreover, in certain prior convertible tables, the table is attached to a wall, and must be removed therefrom and reinstalled at the other level. Other convertible tables have had folding legs, or removable supports to be contended with, and these have been known to collapse and otherwise give trouble. Still other convertible tables have required the use of separate structural components for bed and table use, which components must be removed and stored when the unit is used for one or the other of the alternative functions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a convertible table of the class described that can be quickly and easily changed from table to bed in just a few seconds, with a minimum of effort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible table which is slidable vertically lbetween table and bed positions along vertical tracks mounted on the wall. The advantage of this arrangement is that it eliminates all legs or other supports going down to the floor, which often form annoying obstructions that are diflicult to avoid when sitting down to the table or getting up therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible table which is positively locked in the raised, table-height position by locking means that cannot -be inadvertently disengaged or released.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a convertible table that is spring-counterbalanced for ease in changing from bed to table, or vice versa.

A further object of the invention is to provide a convertible table wherein the table top rests on the edges of the bench seats when lowered to the bed-height position, so that the weight of the person lying on the bed is transferred directly to the benches and not to the wall structure, which in many cases is not strong enough to support the load.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a convertible table which is simple and ruggedin construction, inexpensive to manufacture, andinstall, and convenient and easy to use.

The foregoing and other objects and `advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings; wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the interior of a mobile dwelling, showing a convertible 3,300,791 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 table embodying the principles of the invention, the said table being raised to the table-height position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the table lowered to the bed-height position, with the bench cushions laid over the bench seats and table top to provide a mattress;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken at 3 3 in FIGURE l, showing the table elevated to the tableheig'ht position;

FIGURE 4 is an end View of the table, showing the supporting structure;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through one of the vertical tracks, taken at 5 5 in FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken -at 6 6 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View, taken at 7. 7 in FIG- URE 4, looking upwardly at the underside of the table top, and showing the supporting frame -and latch arrangelment;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, showing the table lowered to the bed-height position;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, showing the arrangement whereby the table is lifted a short distance above the bed-height position to enable the operator to .get his fingers under the edge of the table top for the purpose of lifting the latter;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional View, generally corresponding to FIGURE 3, showing a modified form of the invention vusing a counterbalancing spring;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the latch for locking the table in the bed-'height position; and

FIGURE 12 is a partially cutaway elevational view,

showing the spring reel for counterbalancing the weight of the table.

In FIGURES 1 to 9 of the drawings, the reference numerals 15 and 16 designate one wall and the oor, respectively, of a mobile dwelling such as a trailer, camper, or the like. The convertible table of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 17, and projects perpendicularly from the wall 15. Mounted on opposite sides of the table are benches 18 and 19, each of which is covered by a seat cushion 20 and back cushion 21. The cushions 20, 21 are joined together along one edge by a fabric hinge 22, so that they can be disposed at right angles to one another, as in FIG- URE 1, or laid out flat, as in FIGURE 2.

The convertible table 17 comprises a flat, generally rectangular table top 26, preferably made of plywood, which is reinforced and stiffened by an apron 27 of boards nailed and glued edge to the underside of the top 26, parallel to three sides thereof and set back'a'few inches from the edges. The table 17 also includes a stationary frame 28 mounted on the -wall 15, and a supporting frame 29 for the table top. Stationary frame 28 comprises two laterally spaced, vertical tracks 30, which are joined together at their bottom ends by a transverse `angle iron 31.v

At their top ends, the tracks 30 are connected by a crosspiece 32. consists of two fiat, outer bars 22 of equal width, anda narrower inner bar '34, arranged side by side and joinedv together by screws 35. This arrangement defines a nar-` row slot 36 which slidably receives certain portions of the frame 29.

The table top supporting frame 29 comprises four angle f the top ends of two vertical, downwardly extending frame As best shown in FIGURES, each track 30 members 41 of T-shaped cross-section, one of the anges 42 of which is slidable received within the slot 36 of the adjacent track 30. The members 41 are connected together at their bottom ends by an angle iron cross-piece 43. Diagonal braces 44 extend upwardly and outwardly at about a forty-tive degree angle from the bottom 'ends of the T-shaped members 41 to the side angle irons 40, and the angle irons 40 are further braced at the corners by corner braces 45.

The table 17 is slidable vertically along the tracks 30 between the elevated table-height position shown in FIG- URE l, and the bed-height position shown in FIGURE 2. The table is locked in the table-height position by means of a toggle member lock 46, which consists of two pairs of toggle members 48 and 49 that are pivotally connected end-to-end by a transverse rod 50. The bottom ends of the lower members 40 are swingably supported on a transverse rod 51 which passes through and is held by two pairs of angle brackets 52. The top ends of the upper toggle members 48 are swingably connected to the side angle irons 40 of the frame 29 by pivot bolts 53.

The toggle member lock 46 is urged to the extended, over-center position shown in FIGURE 3 by two coiled torsion springs 54 which circle the rod 51 between their respective pairs of brackets 52, land one arm of each of the springs is hooked around the lower toggle member 49, and exerts a rearward thrust against the same, tending to press the toggle members 49 back .against the wall 15. The toggle members 48, 49 are additionally urged out to the extended, over-center position by means of two coil springs 55, each of which is fastened at 56 to its associated toggle member 48 a short distance down from the upper end thereof, and at 57 to the associated T-shaped member 41 near the lower end thereof. The coil springs 55 are stretched when the toggle member lock 46 is folded, as shown in FIGURE 8, owing to the relative upward swinging movement of the attachment point 56 with respect to the bottom attachment point 57, and the tension of the stretched spring exerts a force on the upper toggle member 48 tending to swing the latter down in the clockwise direction, thereby extending the toggle member lock 46, and exerting a lifting force on the table top 26, as well as spring-pressing the`toggle member lock to the locked position.

Mounted on the underside of the table 26 is an -actuating handle, or latch release handle 50, which is bent downwardly from the front end of a flat bar that lies closely adjacent the longitudinal centerline of the table top and parallel thereto. The bar 61 extends through a guide 62, and is also slidable through an aperture 63 in the cross-angle iron member 40. A bolt 64 passes through the rear end of the rod 61, and a pair of chains 65 are connected to this bolt and extend rearwardly therefrom in diverging relationship to points of attachment at 66 with the upper toggle members 48. Also attached to the bolt 64 is a somewhat shorter length of chain '70, which is attached to one arm 71 of a bell crank 72. The bell crank 72 is pivoted at 73 on a bracket 74, and is rotatable in a vertical plane between the positions shown in FIGURES 6 and 9. Another arm of the bell crank 72 is connected by a pin 76 and clevis 77 to a push rod 80, which extends downwardly through a guide hole 81 in the transverse angle iron member connecting the bottom ends of the T-shaped members 41.

When the table top is down at the bed-height position, the bottom end of the push rod 80 bears against the horizontal ange of the angle bracket 31 as shown in FIG- URE 9. T o elevate the table, the handle 60 is pulled forwardly, which causes the bell crank 72 to rock through approximately `a 45 degree angle, causing the push rod 80 to be thrust downwardly. The downward thrust of the push rod 80 elevates the table top a short distance to the position shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 8, thereby providing clearance between the table top 26 and the top edges of the benches 18 and 19 so as toenable the opnot transferred to the wall structure.

erator to get his fingers under the edge of the table to raise the same. This is necessitated by the fact that when the table top is down at the bed-height position, the opposite side edges of the table top 26 rest on the narrow ledges 84 forming a part lof the bench structure. When the table is being used as a bed, the weight of the person lying thereon is transferred directly to these ledges S4, and is thus carried entirely by the benches 18, 19, and However, there is no clearance between the side edges of the table top and the benches 18, 19, permitting the operator to grasp the edges of the table top in order to lift the same. It is necessary to lift the table top 26 from a point halfway or more back from the outer end, as a lift applied near the outer end of the table top tends to tilt the same slightly, causing the members 41 to bind in the tracks 30. The lifting bell crank 72 and push rod 80 make it possible to lift the table top from any point along the edges.

When the table is raised to the table-height position, the toggle member lock 46 is extended to an over-center position, as shown in FIGURE 3, in which the lower members 49 press rearwardly against the crosspiece 43,

and any weight carried on the table tends to thrust the toggle members 49 more rmly against the member 43. To release the toggle member lock, the handle 60 is pulled forwardly, causing the chains 65 to pull the upper toggle members 48 forwardly so that the pivot shaft 50 passes forwardly of dead center. At this point, the toggle member lock 46 is no longer locked, and the table can then be lowered by pressing gently downward against the table top 2-6.

A slightly modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURES l0, 1l and l2. In this embodiment of the invention, parts which correspond to'those illustrated and described in connection with the rst embodiment are given the same reference numerals with the prime suix. In this case, the table 26 is counterbalanced by a spring reel mounted on the cross member 43. As shown in FIGURE l2, the spring reel 100 comprises an outer case 101, a rotatable reel 102 contained within the case, and a torsion spring 103 which is connected to the reel 102v in a manner to exert a torsional force thereon. A exible steel cable 104 is coiled around the reel y102 and exits from the case 101 through an aperture 106. The cable l104 extends upwardly and is attached at 107 to the wall 15', as in FIGURE 10, or to any partl of the stationary frame 28.

means of a latch bar 108, which'is slidably supported on the underside of the table top 26. The latch bar 108 projects beyond the rear edge of the table top 26' and is adapted to seat within one or the other of two vertically spaced latch plates 110 and 111 mounted on the wall 15' in vertical alignment with one another, the upper latch plate 111 positioning the table top 26 at table-height position, and the lower latch plate 110 positioning the table top at the bed-height position. A spring 112 exerts a yielding pull on the latch bar 108, urging the same rearwardly toward the said latch plates.

The coun-terbalancing spring 100 is selected so that the tension in the cable 104 is approximately equal. to the weight of the table top 26' and its supporting structure 29. The lifting force exerted by the counterbalancing spring 100 is applied to the frame 29 approximately in the yplane of the two vertical tracks 30', thereby eliminating any binding of the slide members 41' in the tracks. As thus counterbalanced, the table 17 can Ybe raised or lowered with ngertip pressure, and changing from bed to table or vice versa, is virtually eiortless.

While I have shown and described in considerable l detail what I believe to be the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in that a-rt that various changes -may be made in the shape and arrangement of the several parts without departingk fromA the broad scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim: 1. A convertible table for use in a mobile dwelling,

6 a pair of benches arranged on opposite sides of said table top and engaging the edges thereof to support said table top when it is lowered to said bed-height position;

comprising: 5 seat and back cushions on said benches which are a vertical track mounted on one wall of said dwelling; adapted to be laid over said benches and said table a table top disposed with one end adjacent said vertical top when the latter is at said bed-height position,

track; t thereby providing a mattress; a supporting frameconnected to the underside of said manually operable means for elevating said table top table top; 10 and supporting frame a short distance above said means on said supporting frame slidably engaging said bed-height position to provide openings between the vertical track, said supporting frame and said table edges of said table top and the tops of the benches top being slidable vertically between a horizontal upon which said edges rest, thereby enabling the table-height position and a horizontal bed-height operator to insert his fingers under the edges of said position; l5 table top so as to raise the same. a pair of benches arranged on opposite sides of said 4. A convertible table for use in a mobile dwelling,

tale top and engaging the ed-ges thereof to supoprt comprising: said table top when it is lowered to said bed-height a vertical track mounted on one wall of said dwelling; position; a table top disposed with one end adjacent said vertical seat and back cushions on said benches which are track;

adapted to be laid over said benches and said table a supporting frame connected to the underside of said top when the latter is at said bed-height position, table top; thereby providing a mattress; and means on said supporting frame slid-ably engaging said means for releasably locking said table at said tablevertical track, said supporting frame and said tabletop height position. being slidable vertically between a table-height posi- 2. A convertible table for use in a mobile dwelling, tion and a bed-height position; comprising: a pair of benches arranged on opposite sides of said a vertical track mounted on one wall of said dwelling; table top and engaging the sides thereof to support a table top disposed with one end adjacent said vertical said table top when it is lowered to said bed-height track; position; a supporting frame connected to the underside of seat and back cushions on said benches which are said table top; adapted to :be laid over said benches and said table means on said supporting frame slidably engaging said top when the latter is at said 'bed-height position,

vertical track, said supporting frame and said table thereby providing a mattress; top being slidable vertically between a table-height a pair of toggle members pivotally connected together position and a 4bed-height position; end-to-end, one of said toggle members :being cona pair of benches arranged on opposite sides of said nected to said supporting frame, and the other toggle table top and engaging the edges thereof to supmember being connected to a stationary attachment port said table top when it is lowered to said bedpoint, whereby said toggle members are extended to height position; 40 an over-center, substantially vertical position when seat and back cushions on said benches which are said table top is at said table-height position;

adapted to be laid over said benches and said table spring means engaging said toggle members and exerttop when the latter is at said bed-height position, ing spring-pressure thereon, urging said toggle memthereby providing a mattress; bers toward said extended, over-center position; a pair of toggle members pivotally connected together an actuating handle on the underside of said table top;

end-to-end, one of said toggle members being conand v nected to said supporting frame, and the other toggle a bell crank having an arm thereof connected to said member being connected to a stationary attachment actuating handle, whereby a pull on the actuating point, whereby said toggle members are extended handle causes said bell crank to rock; to an over-center, substantially vertical position when a push rod connected to the other arm of said bell crank said table top is at said table-height position; and extending downwardly therefrom, the bottom spring means engaging said toggle members and eXertend of said push rod bearing against a stationary ing spring-pressure thereon, urging said toggle memsurface; bers toward said extended, over-center position; said bell crank and push rod being operable to elevate an actuating handle on the underside of said table top; said table top and supporting frame a short distance and above said bed-height position when said actuating means connecting said actuating handle to one of said handle is pulled, to provide openings between the toggle members, whereby said toggle members are edges of said table top and said benches, thereby pulled back past dead center against the pressure of enabling the operator to insert his fingers under the said spring means when said actuating handle is edges of the table Itop so as to raise the same. pulled, thereby releasing said toggle member lock 5. A convertible table as in claim 4, wherein said and allowing said table to be lowered. actuating handle is connected to one of said toggle mem- 3. A convertible table for use in a mobile dwelling, bers, whereby said toggle members are pulled back past comprising: dead center against the pressure of said spring means when a vertical track mounted on one wall of said dwelling; said actuating handle is pulled, thereby releasing said a table top disposed with one end adjacent said vertical toggle member lock and allowing said table top .to be track; lowered. a supporting frame connected to the underside of said 6. A convertible table for use in a mobile dwelling,

table top; comprising:

a stationary frame mounted on one wall of said dwelling and including a pair of laterally spaced, vertical means on said supporting frame slidably engaging said vertical track, said supporting frame and said table top bein-g slidable vertically between a horizontal tracks; table-height position and a horizontal bed-height a movable frame slidable mounted on said vertical position; tracks;

a table top mounted on top of said movable frame, said table top being movable along said tracks between a horizontal table-height position and a horizontal bed-'height position;

a pair of benches arranged on opposite sides of said table top, said benches engaging the edges of said table top and supporting the same when the table top is at said bed-height position;

seat and back cushions lon said benches which are adapted to be laid over said benches and said table top when the latter is at said bed-height position, thereby providing a mattress;

spring means mounted on one of said frames and connected to the other of said frames, said spring means exerting upward pressure against said movable frame adjacent said vertical tracks, tending to raise the table top to said table-height position; and

means Ifor locking said table top at either of said positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,134,662 4/1915 Barber 10S-39 1,207,268 12/ 1916 Blanchard 10S-39 2,280,444 4/1942 Neunherz 5-11 2,572,435 '10/ 195.1 White 5 3 3,188,986 6/1965 La Vigne 10S- 146 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,334,814 7/1963 France.

15 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Examiner. 

1. A CONVERTIBLE TABLE FOR USE IN A MOBILE DWELLING, COMPRISING: A VERTICAL TRACK MOUNTED ON ONE WALL OF SAID DWELLING; A TABLE TOP DISPOSED WITH ONE END ADJACENT SAID VERTICAL TRACK; A SUPPORTING FRAME CONNECTED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID TABLE TOP; MEANS ON SAID SUPPORTING FRAME SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID VERTICAL TRACK, SAID SUPPORTING FRAME AND SAID TABLE TOP BEING SLIDABLE VERTICALLY BETWEEN A HORIZONTAL TABLE-HEIGHT POSITION AND A HORIZONTAL BED-HEIGHT POSITION; A PAIR OF BENCHES ARRANGED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID TALE TOP AND ENGAGING THE EDGES THEREOF TO SUPPORT SAID TABLE TOP WHEN IT IS LOWERED TO SAID BED-HEIGHT POSITION; SEAT AND BACK CUSHIONS ON SAID BENCHES WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO BE LAID OVER SAID BENCHES AND SAID TABLE TOP WHEN THE LATTER IS AT SAID BED-HEIGHT POSITION, THEREBY PROVIDING A MATTRESS; AND MEANS FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID TABLE AT SAID TABLEHEIGHT POSITION. 